Characterizing active faults and associated mass transport deposits in the South Iberian Margin (Alboran Sean and Gulf of Cadiz): on-fault and off-fault paleoseismic evidence

During the last years we have carried out successive high-resolution marine geological and geophysical surveys to investigate the seismic potential of the slow-moving seismogenic faults from the South Iberian Margin. Based on ,ultiscale acoustic mapping, sub-seafloor seismic imaging and dating methods we have characterized submarine fault systems with unprecedented resolution. We present primary paleoseismic evidence obtained by direct investigations of selected faults from theMediterranean Sea (i.e. Carboneras Fault, Bajo Segura Fault, Adra Fault) and the external part of the Gulf of Cadiz (i.e. Marques de Pombal Fault, Horseshoe Fault, Coral Patch Ridge Fault and SWIM lineaments). The obtained fault seismic parameters suggest that these faults are active and capable of generating large magnitude (Mw > 6) seismic events, representing an earthquake and tsunami hazard for the surrounding coastal areas. Secondary paleoseismic evidence in the SW Iberian Margin (based on landslides and turbidite deposits) yields a regional recurrence rate of large magnitude earthquake of 1800 - 2000 years.

Keywords

Paleosismologia Falhas activas Sismos Tsunamis Golfo de Cádiz (Espanha) Margem Sul Ibérica

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.9/1306

Citation

Gràcia, Eulàlia; Bartolomé, Rafale; Lo Iacono, C.; Moreno, X.; Martínez-Loriente, S.; Perea, Hector; Masana, E.; Pallàs, R.; Diez, S.; Dañobeitia, Juanjo J.; Terrinha, Pedro; Zitellini, N. - Characterizing active faults and associated mass transport deposits in the South Iberian Margin (Alboran Sean and Gulf of Cadiz): on-fault and off-fault paleoseismic evidence. In: Primera Reunión Ibérica sobre Fallas Activas y Paleosismología, Volumen de resúmenes. Sigüenza, Guadalajara, España, 27, 28 y 29 de Octubre de 2010, p. 163-166